Marketa Vondrousova won the women's single Wimbledon title on Saturday, stunning her opponent to become the first-ever unseeded woman to win the prestigious tennis tournament.
The 24-year-old native of the Czech Republic completed an unexpected performance by beating Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4 to become a Grand Slam champion for the first time. Both of her victories were come-from-behind wins. The center court roof of the All England Club in London was closed for the match, The Associated Press noted, shielding both players from 20 mph winds outside that "allowed Vondrousova's smooth lefty strokes to repeatedly find the intended mark."
The victory marks an improbable — and historic — comeback for Vondrousova. While she at one time had a career-high of No. 14 in the world in the Women's Tennis Rankings, Vondrousova entered Wimbledon unseeded at world No. 42. Her improbable victory in the final came against an odds-on favorite in Jabeur, the world No. 6 and thus the sixth seed in the tournament.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Vondrousova is the lowest-ranked woman to win Wimbledon since WTA rankings were established in 1975. She also became the first unseeded woman to even reach the Wimbledon finals in 60 years. The last to do so, Billie Jean King in 1963, was that year's runner-up and was on hand during Saturday's match to watch Vondrousova's victory.
"I don't really know what's happening now. It's an amazing feeling," Vondrousova said during the trophy ceremony, per The AP. She noted that she had undergone surgery last year to repair an injured left wrist that had seen her pushed to the edge of the game. "After everything I've been through — I had a cast last year [at] this time — it's just amazing that I can stand here and hold this. Tennis is crazy."
-
DHS preps for major ICE expansion, rankling local law enforcementIN THE SPOTLIGHT As the Trump administration positions ICE as the primary federal police force, its recruitment efforts have been met with a less-than-enthusiastic response
-
The return of 'Wednesday,' an 'Alien' prequel and a dramatic retelling of the Amanda Knox trial all happening in August TVthe week recommends This month's new television releases include 'Alien: Earth,' 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' and a new season of 'Wednesday'
-
How does a 401(k) hardship withdrawal work and is it smart to take one?the explainer More Americans than ever are resorting to this option in a pinch
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or elseSpeed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA FinalsSpeed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead playersspeed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey finalSpeed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIXspeed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess championSpeed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fansSpeed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World SeriesSpeed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
